Stars flooded the crypto.com arena in Los Angeles for the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony, highlighting the biggest and brightest in music for the 2024-2025 season. A staple of early-year awards season, the GRAMMY Awards often set the tone for what the industry will champion next, and this year’s ceremony had even more eyes on it, with several nominees poised to make history. Broadcasting on CBS and Paramount+, the televised show only included a portion of the night’s categories, while many more were presented earlier during the pre-telecast, including the entirety of the rock, alternative, jazz, and R&B genres.

Early on in the pre-ceremony, history was made as “Golden,” the flagship song Netflix/Sony animated film Kpop Demon Hunters was awarded Best Song Written for Visual Media, awarded to singer-songwriter EJAE and prolific K-pop producer and writer Teddy Park. This marked the first Grammy ever awarded to a K-pop song. Other standout moments included Chinese-Icelandic smooth crooner Laufey winning Best Traditional Pop Album for her 2025 LP A Matter of Time and South African of Indian descent artist Tyla winning Best African Music Performance for viral single “PUSH 2 START.”

As more celebrities arrived on the red carpet the anticipation grew to see who would win the coveted categories of the night, with heavy hitters like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga and newcomers like Leon Thomas, KATSEYE, and Rosé all nominated in the same categories and performing for the night, the show was open to go in any direction and the night’s biggest moments proved it. 

EnVi’s Music team gathered in a Slack chat to discuss the show live in real time, celebrating the wins, debating the surprises, and calling out the performances and cultural moments of the night.

ROSÉ x Bruno Mars Open the Show

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars kick things off with “APT.” performance.

Vanessa (Music Editor): omg it’s a party in here
Davonna (Senior Editor): OMG ITS ON
Davonna: Starting with Rosie and Bruno and Bruno is shredding on the guitar
Kayla (Music Writer): He’s such a good performer
TJ Jenkins (Music Writer): WHOA it’s like ON ON
Davonna: This is like a crazy rock party mix
Eliza Orlic (Music Writer): That was such a sudden start but I’m so glad people are bringing fun back to performances

Citlalli (Music Writer): Excited about The Marias!
Quinn (Music Writer): I’m looking forward to [Lady] Gaga, Addison Rae, and KATSEYE especially
Kayla (Music Writer): REBA [is performing]?
Quinn: AND SABRINA OBVIOUSLY OMG I FORGOT SHE IS ALSO PERFORMING
Davonna: Will Lauryn Hill actually show up on time?
Vanessa: only time will tell
Kayla: Most definitely not but i will still be #seated

Quinn: OLIVIA DEAN MY BEST NEW ARTIST
TJ Jenkins: EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU OLIVIA DEAN
Davonna: Olivia looks so shy with all the attention on her
Vanessa: she looks so cute though
Eliza: Olivia Dean, my love, my life

Sabrina Carpenter Performs “Manchild”

Performance: Sabrina Carpenter performs her hit song “Manchild.”

Kaye (Music Writer): SABRINA PERFORMING EVERYBODY UP
Davonna: Yes, bring back high budget stage performances!!!
Vanessa: Love a coordinated dance! And how they made it sound like she was actually using an intercom haha
Eliza Orlic: I love that she is always having fun it makes it even more addicting to watch
Quinn: Make pop music fun again!!!
Niamh (Art Director): I think that’s one of the best things about Sabrina, she always looks like she’s having genuine FUN
Kaye: Pop excellence my god
TJ Jenkins: a BIRD??
Vanessa: the dove?!
Davonna: HELLO??

Kendrick, the Room, and the Vibes

Kaye: Omg Kendrick Lamar his aegyo is so refreshing
Kayla: natural aegyo!!
Vanessa: Kendrick most nominated man of the year INSANE
Vanessa: but also, deserved
Kaye: You guys can’t hear me, but i’ve personally decided to act like I’m a seat filler so I will be clapping for every presenter and nominee that comes on stage

Best Rap album presented to Kendrick Lamar’s GNX by Queen Latifah and Doechii

Davonna: QUEEN LATIFAH
Vanessa: Doechii looks AMAZINGGGG
Citlalli: Gorgeous gals on stage
Quinn: Doechii’s look is… A LOOK
Niamh: I like to hear it jingling…
TJ: WOWWWW the red skirt piece
Niamh: …it’s like windchimes
Kayla: AYYYYYY KENNY!!!!
Vanessa: and that’s tea!!!!!
TJ: I KNOW THATS RIGHTTTT
Davonna: AYYYYYYYYY
Vanessa: Were we surprised?
Kayla: MY GOAT
Vanessa: “HOTTOGO” playing as he walks off is frying me
Kaye: He’s exactly who he thinks he is
Davonna: I feel like the Recording Academy will always be making it up to Kendrick for when they gave Macklemore Best Rap Album over Good Kid, M.A.A.d City

Best New Artist Medley Watch Party

Best New Artist performances roll back-to-back.

Citlalli: THE MARIAS
Mal: “MAYBE I”
Citlalli: Maria reminds me of a siren and I’m being lured into the sea
Niamh: Oh major siren vibes
TJ Jenkins: Seriously it makes me want to burst into tears
Kaye: OMG ITS THE EXTENDED VERSION
Vanessa: If they were bout it they would’ve made the Marias and Benito perform “Otro Atardecer”

Vanessa: HELLO “GNARLY”
TJ: “GNARLY”
Citlalli: “GNARLY”
Kayla: MANON, YOU ARE EVERYTHINGG
Kayla: omg I forgot about the clean version
Niamh: tbh if I flash back to when this song came out….I could’ve never imagined it at the GRAMMYs. People were SO mad. I’m glad they’ve been vindicated
Kayla: it’s such a fun song, I’m sorry for the people who don’t get it
Niamh: the Off White looks too
Vanessa: One thing about me I’ma eat up some Off White
Kaye: THEY’RE DOING THE DANCE BREAK
Vanessa: I’M SO GAGGED

Another switch: Leon Thomas arrives and the chat is immediately locked in

Kaye: THANK GOD IT’S LEON THOMAS
Kaye: I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER TO SEE LEON THOMAS
Vanessa: AND ATE
Kayla: What a crazy back to back lineup
Citlalli: Okay guitar!
Niamh: random fact: I saw Leon Thomas on the street in Philly once and double-taked bc I was like omg wait Leon (this is like. 2017) and it was like he could tell I was mid-recognizing him because he gave me this look

Davonna: WHERE IS OLIVIA DEAN
Quinn: MY BEST NEW ARTIST
Quinn: DAVONNA THANKS FOR MANIFESTING IT INTO REALITY
Vanessa: Love this little red dress!

Trevor Noah is speaking but all we hear is blah blah blah, proper name and place…

Vanessa: Who was that
Vanessa: IS THAT SLASH
Vanessa: IS THAT F*CKNG SLASH
Niamh: IT IS SLASH
Vanessa: SLASH, I LOVED PLAYING AGAINST YOU ON GUITAR HERO 3

Karol G and Marcelo Hernandez present Best Latin/Musica Urbana Album award to Bad Bunny for DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS

Citlalli: KAROL G
Vanessa: MARCELO
Davonna: KAROOOOOOOOOL
Davonna: always a stunner my god
Niamh: loving this duo
Citlalli: she looks incredible, amazing, spectacular, wow
Citlalli: MI GENTE LATINO
Vanessa: JUAN LUIS GUERRA KING
TJ Jenkins: Oooh that suit Bad Bunny is wearing is everything
Vanessa: NUEVAYOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Niamh: ICE OUT
Kaye: Well yes!
Vanessa: Playing this song bc he can’t perform I know thats right

LADY GAGA performs “Abracadabra”

Kayla: GAGA
Vanessa: Gaga saving us thank you
Niamh: omg I love the birdcage hat!
TJ: PAWS UP
Vanessa: They could never make me hate her
Kaye: This camera man making sure they’re getting their check tonight
Kaye: And you know what, I respect that
Vanessa: Even in a very limited space she is making such good use of her space and set
Niamh: she has me ready to bleach my brows rn knowing full well i need them
Davonna: REAL SINGERS
Vanessa: Like Gaga is a PERFORMER
Vanessa: She is a SINGER

Bruno mars Does It Again

Bruno Mars and the Hooligans performance of new single “I Just Might.”

Kaye: Bruno Mars is next he’s about to carry the male performances
Vanessa: I love this lil performance, giving me 60s music show performance realness
Davonna: I wish it was something we haven’t seen from Bruno before but he’s always a good performer
Vanessa: I agree! but the set was good and he is a good performer, It does feel like a case of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
Niamh: Dancing around my room right now
Niamh: Bruno is like…fast food? But better? Like is it the best ever? Not really, but is it always good? Yes.
Kaye: Bruno just never ages omg
Kaye: He has looked the exact same since I was born way back in 06
Vanessa: 06?!
Citlalli: 06????
Davonna: Omg, I’m ancient
Vanessa: I’m about to turn into dust
Niamh: My joints all just cracked when I read that
Vanessa: Kaye please say sike right now

Best Pop Solo Performance Winner Surprise

Best Pop Solo Performance goes to Lola Young for “Messy.”

Vanessa: Best Solo Pop Performance, I think it’ll either be “Disease” by Lady Gaga or “Messy” by Lola Young
Niamh: OMG THIS WIN?
Citlalli: WHAT
Quinn: DID NOT SEE THAT COMING AT ALL
Davonna: Wow, good for her!
Niamh: awww she looks delighted, I’m so happy for her
Vanessa: I LOVE that she’s in a fancy tracksuit
Quinn: She’s so adorable, I love it
Niamh: Big into fancy tracksuits

Trevor Noah tries to get Bad Bunny to perform despite his legal obligation to the Superbowl

Niamh: NOT THE BAND
Vanessa: WHY IS HE SPITTING RN
Vanessa: THE BAND
Citlalli: A BAND
Vanessa: THIS IS SO FUNNY, [Bad Bunny] said noncompete be damned
Quinn: Is that Gloria Estefan??
Eliza Orlic: THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN AT THE GRAMMYS
Vanessa: it almost started sounding like lo que le paso a hawaii #heshouldveperformedthat

Distracted again by what’s going on in the background

Vanessa: it always makes me laugh seeing the artists just wander around in the background
Vanessa: like this for real just another night for them
Vanessa: in these fanciful outfits
Niamh: …fanciful?
Eliza: I want to know what kind of snacks they got at these things
Niamh: From what I’ve heard, nothing
Vanessa: Nary a plate in sight
Eliza: How do they watch something for like four hours without a snack?
Niamh: Nary a morsel

Tyler, The Creator’s Performance Goes Off

Tyler, The Creator performs a medley of tracks from Chromakopia and Don’t Tap The Glasswith a Regina King cameo and set storytelling.

Davonna: The camera shifting to Black and White is so cool
Vanessa: This album, Chromakopia, is GAS
Vanessa: I love this song I’m so glad he opened with this song
Niamh: The set design is insane
Mal: ahhhh
Kaye: HE’S PERFORMING “LIKE HIM”
Mal: REGINA KING
Kayla: He got the queen omg
Davonna: Why did that Regina skit just make me tear up?
Vanessa: This set is nuts
Kayla: Tyler hit himself with the car. This clean asl
Vanessa: He is performing the deep cuts right now
Kaye: One thing i’m always gonna eat is a good medley performance
TJ Jenkins: LETS HEAR IT AGAIN FOR STAGE DESIGN
Vanessa: That was peak!!!

Tribute Segment

Niamh: Brian Wilson *heartbreak emoji*
Quinn: Please remind me who Brian Wilson is
Niamh: THE BEACH BOYS
Niamh: PLEASE
Davonna: THE BEACH BOYS
Kaye: Wait, is that a show?
Niamh: KAYE
Davonna: FUN FUN FUN TIL HER DADDY TOOK HER TBIRD AWAY?
Vanessa: A SHOW?!@!!
Kayla: KAYE LMAO
Vanessa: KAYE STOP RIGHT NOW
Eliza: Girl, so I’m not with you on this one
Kaye: WAIT STOP LIKE I’M 19 DAYS OLD
Niamh: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” “Good Vibrations” “Surfin’ USA”?
Davonna: “Fun Fun Fun”
Quinn: Oh “Good Vibrations” I know that one
Kaye: Wait, Yes I know those songs!

Davonna: Kaye, do you know who Bruce Springsteen is? He just did that tribute to Brian Wilson
Niamh: Please tell me you guys know who they’re doing the tribute to tonight with Lauryn Hill
Vanessa: I fear this is gonna make it in the EnVi slack messages Hall of Fame
Niamh: You guys do know who Lauryn Hill is, right?
Kaye: Duh, of course
Niamh: These artists are like Shakespeare! All music we listen to now is built on their foundation but at the time it was groundbreaking

The “Khia” Education Corner

Davonna: Kaye, you say Khia all the time, do you know who Khia actually is?
Kaye: Khia’s like the car right
Davonna: OMG
Vanessa: KAYE
Mal: Not the car
Eliza: Kaye I’m back with you
Mal: We got to ban that from stan twitter
Vanessa: Expeditiously
Davonna: She is a two hit wonder
Davonna: “My Neck, My Back”
Davonna: She has a hit song with Janet Jackson
Kaye: Wait I know “My Neck, My Back” but the singer of that song is Khia?
Davonna: Yes
Kaye: I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A CAR BRAND NOBODY BUYS
Vanessa: The car is KIA
Vanessa: no H LOL

Niamh: Okay what about who’s on now, The Grateful Dead, do we know them?
Most of the chat: Yes
Quinn: Kaye is the most hilarious person I know here officially
Vanessa: Wow she took our crown Niamh, that used to be us
Niamh: I’ve lost my meme crown, and now this….
Niamh: I do love the tribute section. I think it’s so lovely to take the time to respect people who have made an impact but don’t always get the same news coverage

Roberta Flack & D’Angelo Tribute

Lauryn Hill leads a stacked medley honoring D’Angelo and Roberta Flack with numerous guest appearances

Davonna: MS. LAURYN HILL
Davonna: omg she’s doing “Nothing Even Matters,” her duet with D’Angelo
Kayla: I’m getting emotional
Davonna: Lucky Daye, Raphael Saddiq, John Legend, John Baptise, Bilal everyone is here
Davonna: MRS ROBERTA FLACK RIP
Quinn: “The First Time ever I Saw Your Face”
Niamh: My mom used to have a Roberta Flack record she played when cooking and her music makes me feel so warm and nostalgic…like I can feel the heat of the stove and my parents laughing again
Kaye: I’m learning more and more throughout this night than I thought I would
Davonna: Lauryn has to do the original “Killing Me Softly,” right, but would it be too on the nose?

Niamh: “I, Who Have Nothing” is my like third most replayed song recently its been bad
Davonna: “THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU”
Niamh: Lalah Hathaway has such an incredible voice
Eliza: Where are all these performers coming from? Seriously why haven’t like ANY of them been mentioned all night
Davonna: Chaka Khan showed up?
Vanessa: This is nuts
Kayla: This is taking best set of the night
Davonna: They’re doing “Killing Me Softly”

The performance then shifts to The Fugee’s version of “Killing Me Softly”

Davonna: The whole crowd is on their feet
Davonna: The Fugees only have one album and Lauryn Hill only has one album, imagine being able to have a generational career off of ONE album
Vanessa: Only one album and we still singing it talk about IMPACT

Cher and Luther Vandross vs “luther”

Niamh: CHER??
Kayla: CHER
Vanessa: CHER?!!?
Quinn: CHERRR???!!!!!!
Citlalli: CHER
Citlalli: MOTHER
Vanessa: God she looks so good!
Davonna: Cher the original IT girl
Niamh: her outfits are my goal
Kayla: I’m so obsessed with her I’m staring at my TV in awe

Cher presents Record of the Year to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for “luther”

Niamh: Cher PLSSS LMAO
Kayla: AYYYYYY
Quinn: DID SHE SAY….
Quinn: LUTHER VANDROSS?
Vanessa: I’M NOT EVEN MAD
Davonna: Cher is so funny, she’s not wrong though
Davonna: “Luther” was my top five most played songs of 2025
Davonna: Do y’all know who Luther Vandross is??
Niamh: Please say you do
Quinn: I do that’s why I was cracking up so much
Vanessa: Davonna is about to die

Hip-hop duo Clipse perform “So Far Ahead”

Mal: CLIPSE
Vanessa: THEY’RE PERFORMING?
Eliza Orlic: I’m so happy
Davonna: People will disagree with me but Malice is one of the best rappers of his time. He’s better than Pusha T, to me.
Mal: I AGREE
Niamh: Clipse is doing Gov Ball this year, I’m so ready
Mal: I’m happy it isn’t “The Birds Don’t Sing” because that makes me cry
Davonna: The fact that Drake and Travis Scott pissed Malice off so bad he came out of his 15 year retirement
Niamh: Imagine messing up SO bad you cause Grammy Award-winning albums, several cultural moments, a Superbowl performance, and the return of an iconic artist like I fear i’d never leave my house again

Song of the Year: “Wildflower” Wins

Song of the Year is awarded to Billie Eilish and Finneas for  “Wildflower.”

Davonna: WHAT
Vanessa: 16,000 people voted?
Quinn: Yes, sure “Wildflower” wins are we even surprised
TJ Jenkins: She has Grammy worthy songs and “Wildflower” is NAWT one of them
Vanessa: At least she said it [f*uck ICE in her acceptance speech]
Davonna: SHE SAID IT
Vanessa: Okay Billie, I’ll let you have this one

Album of the Year: Bad Bunny’s DtMF Wins

Album of the Year goes to Bad Bunny’s DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS (DtMF)

Citlalli: BENITOOOO
Vanessa: THIS IS WTF I’M TALKING BOUT
Niamh: YES
TJ: YES
Quinn: YEAH
Davonna: HELL YES
Kayla: I’m gonna cry
Quinn: Benito, I’m going to cry
TJ: I’m tearing up
Vanessa: Guys I’m tearing up — wait
Vanessa: This album is so meaningful to me, when I first heard it it actually changed my life
Vanessa: Oh great now he’s doing his speech in Spanish, I’m actually crying y’all
Citlalli: Tears down my Latina eyes
Vanessa: Giving this speech in Spanish rn after saying ‘ICE out’ and while they’re demonizing all immigrants AND gentrifying Puerto Rico
Vanessa: BENITO YOU WILL NEVER FAIL ME
Davonna: And next Sunday he will be center stage at the Super Bowl!

Final Thoughts Roundup

3 Biggest Moments

Niamh
“Best New Artist mashup. Honestly, I just think it’s funny to show back to back all the different artists…The Marias felt like stumbling across a siren in a sea of fog, Olivia Dean like tripping into a 1970s cocktail lounge. Lola Young’s vocals were stunning, as were Leon Thomas’, Addison Rae makes catchy music, and KATSEYE are electric every time they perform.

D’Angelo/Roberta Flack tribute was stunning, incredible, beautiful… love seeing a huge platform highlighting so much Black excellence.

Bad bunny wins: Honestly, I could have cried. I can’t think of a person, an album, more deserving… An unapologetic celebration of Puerto Rican, of Latino, culture is so incredibly brave in this political climate and Bad Bunny’s unwavering pride and faith in his background is so admirable. I hope he wins every award.”

Vanessa
“DTMF Album of the Year win (and bad bunny speech), watching Bad Bunny be brought to tears and give his speech entirely in Spanish struck a cord with me.

Tyler performance and choosing to open with “Thought I Was Dead”/“Like Him,” the story telling, Regina King cameo, he literally blew up the stage

Roberta Flack and D’Angelo tribute. They brought out legends like Chaka Khan and Lalah Hathaway…before closing with “Killing Me Softly.” Truly a tribute that gave me chills.

TJ
“Bad Bunny’s wins tonight had a massive impact…

Olivia Dean winning Best New Artist was a treat!

The D’Angelo tribute was stacked…”

Quinn
“Olivia Dean’s Best New Artist win, especially her speech on immigrants.

DtMF won big!!!!

And Cher announcing that the ROTY winner is Luther Vandross instead of “luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is the most hilarious moment of the night.”

Eliza
“Most definitely my proudest moment of the night was watching Olivia Dean get New Artist…

As a massive SZA fan, I’m so proud of her and think “luther” definitely deserved the win.

Bad Bunny’s win… Art is political and he gets that!”

Citlalli
“Bad Bunny winning Best Música Urbana, Best Album of the Year, and calling out ICE!

The Maria’s Performance for Best New Artist!

Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” performance!”

Kaye
“Olivia Dean you are now one of my elite employees, giving classic 60s vibes.

Bad Bunny’s speech. He showed everyone in that room how to use your platform.

And tonight confirmed I do need SZA and Kendrick Lamar to keep working together…”

Kayla
“Kendrick Lamar’s sweep in the rap category & ROTY.

The D’Angelo and Roberta Flack tribute!

Bad Bunny taking home AOTY… Benito’s speeches hit me hard, However, it was frustrating to see how few other artists used their stage time to speak up.”

What the Grammys Got Right

Niamh
“Set Design/Holistic Performances! Tyler the Creator, Sabrina, Lady Gaga, all had such unique and beautiful sets…”

TJ
“The set design of the live performances, specifically Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler the Creator stood out to me…”

Quinn
“The performance caliber this year is off the charts… Sabrina Carpenter also brought fun back to pop music…”

Eliza
“The Grammys showed more representation this year than in the past…”

Citlalli
“The performances! It was nice seeing some of the biggest legends…”

Kaye
“The amount of performances was insane this year but in the best way!… watching tonight’s ceremony felt like a giant concert…”

Kayla
“The Grammys definitely got (most) of the performances right this year… Sabrina Carpenter… Bruno Mars… The Marias… Lady Gaga… Tyler, the Creator.”

What They Missed

Niamh
“Often comes across like a sensation, not a celebration of music. Far less artists spoke against ICE than frankly I’m comfortable with. Silence is a choice, and I certainly heard it.”

Vanessa
“It was a shame to see that every single R&B and Rap award was announced during the pre-show and not broadcast during the main ceremony.”

TJ
“So few categories for the main show and some of the more controversial jokes were not funny…”

Quinn
“The chance to give the girlies their flowers”

Eliza
“I truly think they missed out on awarding “Golden.”

Citlalli
“Would have liked to see the best new artists get their own stage and not a melody… ALSO would love to have seen more categories announced…”

Kaye
“We needed way more coverage on ICE and directing resources people watching from home can access/share.”

Kayla
“…a definite miss… how few awards were presented at the main show.”

Artists We’re Watching Next

Niamh
“Is it a cop out to say Olivia Dean?…”
“Lola Young too…”

Vanessa
“Olivia Dean!”

TJ
“Leon Thomas!”

Quinn
“Bad Bunny… But also, I cannot wait for what Olivia Dean will be doing next.”

Eliza
“I’m not taking my eyes off of Olivia Dean for a second…”

Citlalli
“The Marias…”

Kaye
“This is technically two artists but my two clients Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress!…”

Kayla
“Olivia Dean are definitely the artists I will be on the lookout for in the future…”

Final Verdict

Niamh
“This year made some steps towards change, but it’ll take a lot more to undo the damage that has been done to their reputation.”

Vanessa
“Overall, this year’s was a pretty good grammys… it was an enjoyable night for the first time in a while!”

TJ
“It was Bad Bunny’s night! And Sabrina was a little bit snubbed.”

Quinn
“It’s not as exciting as last year’s ceremony. Some highs were higher, but the lows were lower too for me.”

Citlalli
“Bad Bunny deserved! Justice for the pop girlies Sabrina Carpenter and Chapell Roan!”

Kaye
“Sabrina had such a big year so it’s a bit disappointing she didn’t win, but her performance was so fun…”

Kayla
“Overall, I had a lot more fun than I expected while watching…”

Overall Thoughts

Niamh
“It’s high notes came from genuine music celebration, and it’s lows from just about everything else. Billie Eilish is a great artist but in such a vibrant year, rewarding “Wildflower” falls flat but props for speaking against ICE…”

Eliza
“This year’s Grammys were better than they have been in the past. I’m going to sleep tonight, hopeful for years to come…”

Kayla
“Next year I hope to see more categories get some love on the mainstage and I’m interested to see how the show will look with ABC as the broadcaster”

Want more of our music content? Check out our weekly new music roundup Sunday Spin here!